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I don't know where the last 'general movie chit chat' thread went so here's another...

I just watched the Midnight Meat Train. I heard it was pretty poor but I thought I'd give it a go and despite the incredibly bad cgi I got about half way through thinking it wasn't that bad. But then it just got silly at the end and yes it is a bit shite.

Then I watched Timecrimes (Los Cronocrimenes) which was awesome. Seriously. I really wanted to see this at FrightFest in the summer but they showed it during a day I was working so I couldn't go. Anyway, it's a brilliant film. Basically it involves time-travel but I won't go into it as it'll just give it away and hurt my head. Just watch it. I saw Primer a few years ago, a low-budget time-travel film which I got all excited about until I watched it and realised it was a pile of wank. I had a bad feeling that Timecrimes would also disappoint me but it didn't. It's so simple (in a way) with a small cast and the lead character, some normal bloke, is just perfect. Anyone else seen it?

I thoroughly enjoyed primer. I havent spent much time behind a video camera, film is more my thing, but Ive got a deep respect for the folks who made that movie on such a tight budget. They didn't fall into the special effects and 'splosions trap, and made something unique.

I've never heard of Timecrimes, but I'll have to check it out now.

Thanks for restarting a movie thread. I've been thirsty for new recommendations, having worn through the old ones.

If you don't like Primer, I really don't know what to say. That movie is so well thought out that it's amazing. If you've only seen it once, I'm pretty comfortable saying you need to see it again. Ideally you watch it 2 times in a row.

The Midnight Meat Train is my sleeper hit of 2008. That movies is fucking awesome. I really don't even know where to begin.

Anyone a fan of Mumblecore? In the last month I've watched Kissing on the Mouth, LOL, and I have Hannah Takes The Stairs coming in on Tuesday, all by the same guy; I've seen The Puffy Chair, which was great, and The Guatemalan Handshake (starring Will Oldham, aka Palace Music aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy, etc), which isn't so much a Mumblecore film as it is its own unique entity, but it sort of fits so I'll lump it together; I loved Old Joy (also with Will Oldham); and both Funny Ha Ha and Mutual Appreciation, which were both enjoyable. None of these movies were made for more than $20,000, but they are all worth watching if you like indie dramas.

Anyone a fan of Mumblecore? In the last month I've watched Kissing on the Mouth, LOL, and I have Hannah Takes The Stairs coming in on Tuesday, all by the same guy; I've seen The Puffy Chair, which was great, and The Guatemalan Handshake (starring Will Oldham, aka Palace Music aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy, etc), which isn't so much a Mumblecore film as it is its own unique entity, but it sort of fits so I'll lump it together; I loved Old Joy (also with Will Oldham); and both Funny Ha Ha and Mutual Appreciation, which were both enjoyable. None of these movies were made for more than $20,000, but they are all worth watching if you like indie dramas.

I haven't been thrilled with Joe Swanberg's films. They've all been OK, but I never enjoyed any of them as much as Bujalski or the Duplass brothers. Check out Aaron Katz's "Dance Party USA" and "Quiet City." I really enjoyed both. Also, the new Duplass movie "Baghead" is pretty great.

I've heard of Quiet City, so I'll definitely bump that up on the queue, and I'm sure I'll get around to Baghead soon enough. I'm alternating between these little indie movies and the rest of the Michael Haneke's films. I think I only have The Castle, Code Unknown, and The Piano Teacher left.

so i'm guessing this primer is out on vid?
is this thread more for sci-fi movies alex?
movies i'm lookin forward to seeing that haven't started here yet are:
waltz with bashir.
the class.
adventureland (tried to see it at sundance but it was sold out)
it just looks like a goofy comedy.
if were talkin bout' movies we have seen recently, i have went on a frikin rampage lately.

Yeah I know plenty of people loved Primer, I think maybe it was my typical knack hyping a film up too much and inevitably being disappointed. I've done that to plenty of films and have always loved them more on second viewing. Saying that, I doubt I'll bother watching Primer again.

Primer should be used as a case study in how to make an independent film. The whole movie was shot for $7,000 ON FILM, and it was as tightly written a thriller as I've ever seen. Beyond that, these guys had never made a film before and they shot something along the lines of 94 minutes worth of film and the movie was only 92 minutes long, meaning they only shot 2 minutes worth of extra footage, which iss amazing if you imagine that someone like Stanley Kubrick shot 100 minutes worth of footage for every 1 minute worth of film. Furthermore, the movie wasn't a series of quick Michael Bay cutaway shots, these large long, involved tracking shots, long uncut sequences that would make Paul Thomas Anderson proud.

It's rare that I see a movie where I don't think I could have done better if given the opportunity, but Primer is one of them. There's nothing I could have done better than these guys did--every single aspect of this film was amazing.

Yeah I know plenty of people loved Primer, I think maybe it was my typical knack hyping a film up too much and inevitably being disappointed. I've done that to plenty of films and have always loved them more on second viewing. Saying that, I doubt I'll bother watching Primer again.

Speaking of movies that I was disappointed with (due to excess hype), I wasn't that impressed with The Wrestler. I thought the performances were great, but the story was too formulaic and the direction was fairly run of the mill. It seemed to me like Darranofski is toning down his ambition and playing it safe after The Fountain flopped.

RandomStranger wrote:

Anyone a fan of Mumblecore?

I haven't watched much of it, but I did see Hannah Takes The Stairs and I was quite impressed. I'd like to see some more. I think my library has a copy of Mutual Appreciation so I might borrow that when it re-opens.

Another film that I'm really looking forward to is Synecdoche, New York.

i really liked the wrestler, but it was definitly hyped to much, i felt that the story was kinda done before but with a little twist to it, it felt forced in a few places as well,
everybody is talkin about slumdog millionare, it won best pic at g.g.'s and everybody think it will win b.p. at the oscars, i must say i thought it was a great film, really enjoyable, but when i think of best pic i just can understand why. however the oscars are rarely on, and now i ramble.

I too thought Primer was well thought out... but it took some patience to get into the technical side. I had friends that just couldn't find themselves enjoying it. Personally, I was fascinated.

Just took the girlfriend to see this:

(Please imagine that I can remember how to post pictures or videos... then you can imagine an image of Coraline in 3D right here).

I'm usually not the guy dying to see the next animated film, but as a fan of Neil Gaiman I was looking forward to it. Now I have mixed thoughts.

The look of it was amazing... they used stop-animation with puppets and actual sets instead of CGI or drawings. It had a home-time feel to it... a little Davey & Goliath claymation, but polished with 3D.

But the story dragged for me in some places... maybe younger audience so captivated by the images will be more forgiving. But I was just hoping for a slightly different feel... maybe the book ruined it a bit for me too.

Either way I certainly think it's worth checking out... some people are already jumping ahead with the word 'classic'... Just see it in 3D before its gone...

...and smile at the cries and gasps from the confused young children in the theater.

i just rented STILL WAITING last night, a sequel to one of my favorite comedies: WAITING. it was actually written by the same dude who wrote the first so that was kind of a good sign, however it was straight to video and that's rarely if ever good.
any-whoo, don't bother, it tries to throw some raunchy jokes in there and they're not funny, i'm not easily offended but there's a real sick abortion joke and others that are purely there for shock value, some of the original cast makes cameos but can't save it, the best part of the movie was during closing credits there's a new rap from nate and t-dog.
if you haven't seen CHILDREN OF MEN, check it out, this director alfonso cauron was amazing, like a cross between speilberg and scorsese, at the end battle scene he does a straight 6 min. shot that is incredible.

I saw QUIET CITY and am not really a fan of mumblecore. Though the film did have it's moments, it tried a little too hard to be quirky. I did like the whole idea of two people just spending time together, or more like, filling time together. It's inspiring to see people just going out and fucking making a film for next to nothing, though most of the film looks too fucking bland for my times.

The big issue with PRIMER was that after they'd made the film for 7,000, they still needed something like 60,000 to make a 35mm blow up or else Sundance wouldn't even show it. So it's more of a 70,000 dollar film. Which is still good. But after the math is all said and done, I didn't feel it added much. In the same vein of MEMENTO, after the trick is figured out, it just fizzles away.

I had some contact with the director of THE GUATEMALAN HANDSHAKE re: budget plans and how they set it all up, since they shot on anamorphic 35mm for such a low budget. But it's still largely unavailable in my region.

I reccomend REAL TIME (2008, Randall Cole), a small but good film. Very independant and uses all it's shortcomings to it's benefits.

Where'd you meet the director? I'd love to get in contact with Will Oldham for one of my projects but his contact info isn't listed on IMDBpro. He seems like one of those guys who works with people who are sort of professional but not really, so if I got in contact with the director and he liked my story idea he might forward it on for me.

I haven't seen DOUBT or REVOLUTIONARY ROAD yet, but they both look good. THE WRESTLER was great, but mostly because of Marisa Tomei and Mickey Rourke, they owned their roles and they both deserve Oscars. The directing and the story took a backseat to the performances, and although it wasn't mindblowing in any way, it was a decent followup to THE FOUNTAIN -- I can't imagine Aronofsky trying to one-up himself, so he did the wise thing and went in another direction.

I watched Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (meh at the predictable story, ew at a naked Phillip Seymour Hoffman) and Candy this weekend. Of the two, I'd definitely watch Candy again. Heath Ledger was great, of course, and that Abby Cornish girl was really good. Also, Spun, which was entertaining (John Leguizamo made that movie).

Next up is The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down, and that one that's supposed to be more acceptable than Donnie Darko, The Nines.

I liked THE WRESTLER. It was an okay story, a bit cliched at times, but Rourke and Tomei were really good and the mood and atmosphere were excellent. I liked the way it looked too, 2.40:1 16mm blown up to 35mm. Existing light, something doable to the independant filmmakers around. I never liked Aranofsky and I kind of deduct points because it took a lot from the Dardennes Brothers (all the handheld following shots of Rourke on his back), but still, I really like the tone. The bit with his daughter was borderline crap though.

Yeah, the entire daughter plot was the only part of the story that felt contrived, but the scenes in the grocery store and the whole relationship with Marisa Tomei were amazing to watch, so I ignored my one or two minor critiques.

Yeah, the entire daughter plot was the only part of the story that felt contrived, but the scenes in the grocery store and the whole relationship with Marisa Tomei were amazing to watch, so I ignored my one or two minor critiques.

I loved how he didn't really want the counter job, but made something out of a shitty ass job and actually fucking enjoyed himself for a change. The part where he's jostling with the customers is pure GOLD!

I watched that movie last night, The Nines. I don't see how it is supposed to compare to Donnie Darko, but I watched it with an open mind and I was definitely entertained. I will say, though, that I liked The Nines better the first time I saw it, when it was called Dogma.

But anyway, it's not going to replace DD for me because I love that movie for all of the pop culture references and the nostalgia factor (DD happens in 1988, COME ON!). I'd probably watch it again, just in case I missed anything. Ryan Reynolds is boiiiiing, and I liked the actress who played his agent/friend/wife. I thought it was so sweet when ugh...God...tells her that she's his favorite, that he likes her the most. And the neighbor/executive/angel, whoever that actress is (she was the nervous love interest in Mumford), she was good, too.

Sorry, Nate, I'm sullied, but at least I watched the movie you recommended!

Yeah, the entire daughter plot was the only part of the story that felt contrived, but the scenes in the grocery store and the whole relationship with Marisa Tomei were amazing to watch, so I ignored my one or two minor critiques.

I loved how he didn't really want the counter job, but made something out of a shitty ass job and actually fucking enjoyed himself for a change. The part where he's jostling with the customers is pure GOLD!

That part with him and the meat slicer might be the most I've ever winced/cringed in any movie ever! I felt that shit!

I watched that movie last night, The Nines. I don't see how it is supposed to compare to Donnie Darko, but I watched it with an open mind and I was definitely entertained. I will say, though, that I liked The Nines better the first time I saw it, when it was called Dogma.

But anyway, it's not going to replace DD for me because I love that movie for all of the pop culture references and the nostalgia factor (DD happens in 1988, COME ON!). I'd probably watch it again, just in case I missed anything. Ryan Reynolds is boiiiiing, and I liked the actress who played his agent/friend/wife. I thought it was so sweet when ugh...God...tells her that she's his favorite, that he likes her the most. And the neighbor/executive/angel, whoever that actress is (she was the nervous love interest in Mumford), she was good, too.

Sorry, Nate, I'm sullied, but at least I watched the movie you recommended!

What the heck was anything like Dogma in that movie? The closest thing to anything remotely religious is the role between creator and the created.
I thought about that last night, that I shoulda warned you that it wasn't along the same lines as donnie darko, what with the time travel and giant bunny rabbits and all, but more along the lines of a pseudo-intellectual type movie.

I watched that movie last night, The Nines. I don't see how it is supposed to compare to Donnie Darko, but I watched it with an open mind and I was definitely entertained. I will say, though, that I liked The Nines better the first time I saw it, when it was called Dogma.

But anyway, it's not going to replace DD for me because I love that movie for all of the pop culture references and the nostalgia factor (DD happens in 1988, COME ON!). I'd probably watch it again, just in case I missed anything. Ryan Reynolds is boiiiiing, and I liked the actress who played his agent/friend/wife. I thought it was so sweet when ugh...God...tells her that she's his favorite, that he likes her the most. And the neighbor/executive/angel, whoever that actress is (she was the nervous love interest in Mumford), she was good, too.

Sorry, Nate, I'm sullied, but at least I watched the movie you recommended!

What the heck was anything like Dogma in that movie? The closest thing to anything remotely religious is the role between creator and the created.

Yeah, and the whole God doesn't want to be God and look what happens when things are out of order. The comparison's a stretch, but so's the one between The Nines & DD

Quote:

I thought about that last night, that I shoulda warned you that it wasn't along the same lines as donnie darko, what with the time travel and giant bunny rabbits and all, but more along the lines of a pseudo-intellectual type movie.

See, I don't have to have an intellectual experience (pseudo or otherwise) to really love a movie. The original soundtrack to DD is kick ass, and the way it ties perfectly with different scenes...just cool to watch, I think.

In no particular order...
The Libertine
The Fall
The Great Race
Mister Roberts
Aguirre The Wrath of God
The Red Violin
The Hoax
If you can find it, Harrison Bergeron. it's a cheap made for tv movie of a Vonnegut story but it's just got such a bleak yet happy ending that I love it.

I finally found some subs for this. I don't know what to think about it. I mean, it's got all the regular gaping plot holes of any other time travel movie, but just the story between those holes is so engrossing. I'm going to watch it again and try to pick it apart.

I recently discovered JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO and loved it, especially the first 30 minutes and look forward to DOUBT. Saw REVOLUTIONARY ROAD last with and must say it was pretty hardcore.

Doubt was okay. Apart from the thuddingly obvious metaphors I quite enjoyed it, it's another 'performance' movie (although I think at least twenty percent of the praise that the actors got was due to their accents). The thing is, thinking about it afterwards, it seems like the moral behind the story is terrible. Maybe it was just supposed to be study into doubt and faith, but if it was then it was then it did a bad job of keeping a neutral stance on it's characters actions.

I thought Revolutionary Road fell flat, but that might be because it doesn't stand up to the two things that I would compare it to- the book and Mad Men. When I read the book the people that I was picturing playing the Wheelers wasn't Kate Winslet and Leonardo DeCaprio, it was Vincent Kartheiser (Pete Campbell) and January Jones (Betty Draper) and the film shyed away from some of the bleaker aspects of the book. The film would have rivaled Cassavetes and Bergman if it had been adapted faithfully.

I went to the cinema last night to see a double bill of The Thing and An American Werewolf In London which was great. I love both films but I've never seen them on the big screen so it was pretty fun to do so, while drinking a few beers that we snuck in.

just saw apt pupil last night, cheesy in some parts, but once it gets going had a great story, also one of my favorite directors- jean-pierre juenet has a movie called delicatessen that i haven't seen in about 10 years so i rented it, man he's brilliant, and that movie's fucked up, i love it.

Did you see them at the BFI? I was planning to go see Blade Runner there but unfortunately the last showing was the same night I found out about it.

I'm off to see a limited showing of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly next Tuesday. Pretty excited about it.

It was at the Prince Charles.
Damn it would have been ace to see Blade Runner...I always find out about these things too late too.
i just stumbled across Sci-Fi London Film Festival which is April/May time. I've never been before but apparently they do a MST3K all-nighter!

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